Alabama runs away with another Lady Puerto Rico Classic championship

Battling illness, Stephanie Meadow fell short of tying for the medalist honors by one shot, but the Alabama women's golf team felt fine Tuesday.

The Crimson Tide won the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in a runaway.

Alabama shot a 7-over-par 871 over three rounds in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, finishing with an even-par 288, as it won by 13 shots over Arkansas on the par-72, 6,191-yard River Course at the Rio Mar Beach Resort.

The Tide has won this event the past four times it has participated. It won previously in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

"It was a great way to start our spring season," Alabama coach Mic Potter said, according to an Alabama press release. "We did a lot of things very well and came away with a double-digit win, but at the same time I think we identified things we have to get better at if we are going to improve as a team."

Meadow, a junior star, shot a 1-under 71 Tuesday and finished tied for second at 2-under-par 214, one shot behind Arkansas' Emily Tubert. Meadow shot a 73 and a 70 in the first two rounds.

Alabama sophomore Daniela Lendl led Alabama in the final round with a 2-under-par 70, the lowest round of her career. She finished tied for 16th at 8-over 224.

Freshman Emma Talley posted the top finish of her young career with a tie for fifth place at 2-over-par 218 with a 1-over 73 in round three.

Junior Hannah Collier tied for ninth at 4-over 220 as she gave Alabama three players in the top 10 and four in the top 16.

Senior Jennifer Kirby was the Tide's drop score on Tuesday with a 6-over 78, finishing tied for 25th at 11-over 227. Playing as an individual, Johanna Tillström shot an 80 Tuesday.

Next up for the Tide is the Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Championship on Feb. 24-26 at English Turn Country Club in New Orleans.